China Yunan Tour Day 1 - 昆明

We took a mid night flight to Kunming(昆明) and the journey was quite tiring.

3am at Changi Airport, and the plane was still not yet ready for boarding



A 4 hours flight and we finally reached Kunming.

Catch the beautiful sunrise at the airport 

A very small airport



Arriving at the city

Having our first meal @ MAC



Our local guide, Yuan Yuan

Our first stop at Yuan Tong Temple (圆通寺)
 



It wasnt very organised here, you get bump into almost every minute, probably because its Vesak Day.







Our Guan Ying temple in Singapore looks a little inferior compared to theirs.



The devotees

Very friendly ladies who allow me to take pictures for them.



Our first group picture!
 



At the lakeside

Our next visit is to 昆明大观楼 , frankly speaking, it was quite tiring given that we didnt rest the night before and yet we have to travel a few attractions on Day 1 but this place is really very beautiful.


Filled with various colors..
 










Finally we reached our hotel where we took a short nap.

Then a dinner to see the QiXing dance. Given their population, they can easily find qualified performers.












The food wasnt really very impressive..Finally, the end of day 1 where i finally get a good rest at night.

My deserved trip to Yunan

Finally after a long wait, my turn to travel to Yunan again with my mum and sis.
Somehow unlike the past, to earn this trip, i had to put in twice as much effort at work to ensure all the things that i am suppose to take on should finish prior i leave Singapore.

I initially thought it would be tough and stressful, but i realised that if you approach these task one at a time with an optimistic mindset, things arent as bad as i thought it will be.

And after 2 weeks of effort, i survived the ordeal and i picked alot of new things...

So i guess this trip should be a reward for me....Ciao...be back in a week's time!

Be Grateful

Last weekend, at a gathering, i met up with my friends. It has been very long since we kept in contact, everyone was busy with their life and so this session was indeed a good get-together.

While chatting with one of them, i realized that something sad has happened to her recently. She was carrying an unhealthy baby and was forced to deliver the poor premature child in the first trimester. It was her first child. Although she was still putting up a forced smile thru the conversation, i could feel and sense her sadness. This experience seems to weigh down alot on her mentally.
The least i could do was to lend her my listening ears. In fact, i thought it was good for her that she has passed the grieving stage and opened up to accept the truth by sharing her experience.
Some motivated comments i made(which i seriously think was too general) was much appreciated from her. That is where i realised that she was actually looking for some comfort in the conversation.

I actually did somehow get affected by this. Each and everyday we complain and get so affected with tiny issues that we try to do silly little things to get the attention. Compared to these people who had gone thru such ordeal, we should feel embarrass. Is it because we are just too fortunate? She is not the first case that i heard of, there was another friend of mine whom after 7 months of pregnancy, realised that the baby had to be removed due to position of the baby somehow weighing down on the mother's kidney. The mother was devastated delaying each an everyday to remove the baby at the risk of her health.

For those who has and always wanted a child and got a healthy baby, they should treasure this little gift from God and seriously give them the best attention. I guess that is the reason for having a baby too right?

Finally should i be planning a Tibet trip?

There are a few countries that has always in my mind since young. Japan was one of it and i managed to squeeze my first trip to Japan last year. Next, a Tibet trip that has always been in my mind. This definitely isnt an easy trip and i have been hesitating on the decision if i should go but always fear the altitude sickness that might happen to me there... So this year, i planned 2 trips, one to China Shang-rila, where i can test if i have any altitude sickness, and year end to Myanmar. Myanmar would be a totally adventurous trip since Hollie and me are pretty clueless yet about this country. So if the 2 trips went well, most probably Tibet, along with Kathmandu would be my goal next year! With the various choice from signing a tour package with the local agencies to paying slightly more to join SGtrekker(If i cant find kaki to go with me). Hopefully this come true. But first, think i should start planning the Myanmar trip.

Loysel toys

This is my 2nd visit to Loysel toys. Its one of the best coffee place that i have been to. Away from crowds and nearer to nature. Its located across the kallang river at the void deck of a very old building.

Its a very small coffee place with both indoor and outdoor seatings.






I had this on my first visit, Picolo latte


I ordered this lemon calmansi drink which is very refreshing


They served all day breakfast as well as cakes for the day.


Oh, if you ever visit this place, do drop by UM loft at level 5 of the building..Its a very nice place selling a variety of Ukulele